JPH02150371A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To print a down-load font and a stored font without the need for a bit operation by a method wherein a stored font table or a down-load font table is retrieved, and font data is called from a stored out memory means or a down-load font memory means to be printed. CONSTITUTION:The information in a pointer memory means 3 is referred with respect to character information inputted from an input means 1. If it directs the use of a stored font, a stored font table 5a is retrieved, and according to the result required font data is called from a stored font memory means 7. If it directs the use of a down-load font, a down-load font table 6a is retrieved, and required font data is called from a down-load font memory means 8. The called font data is transferred to a printing means 9 to be printed. Therefore, the rewriting of the content of the pointer memory means 3 allows access to an appropriate position by character information with a simple operation for reading font data.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a printer that can print internal fonts built into the printer itself and downloaded fonts set from the outside.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, as this type of printer, for example,
The one disclosed in Japanese Patent No.-255170 is known. This printer is provided with a bit table storage means in which one bit corresponds to one character code, and by manipulating the bits in this table storage means, it is determined whether a specified character code has been registered. It is simplified and allows high-speed processing to be performed for all patterns without setting specific patterns.

Accordingly, in the character code corresponding bit table storage means, all bits are initially set, indicating that all character codes are unregistered. Next, when pattern data is specified, the bit corresponding to the character code is cleared to indicate that the character has been registered. When printing is specified, by referring to the bit table storage means corresponding to the character code, if the bit is cleared, the corresponding pattern data is retrieved, and if the bit is set, it is determined as an error. .

Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, since the table storage means described above has a bit configuration of 1 bit per character, bit operations are required to check whether a certain code is a downloaded font. .

An object of the present invention is to provide a printer that can easily print downloaded fonts and built-in fonts without requiring such bit operations.

Means for Solving the Problems The present invention provides an input means for inputting character information such as a character code, a built-in font storage means that stores each built-in font data, a download font storage means that stores each download font data, Built-in font table storage means storing storage addresses of each built-in font data on the built-in font storage means; and storage of each download font data on the download font storage means in correspondence with the built-in font table storage means. download font table storage means for storing addresses; use instruction means for instructing whether to use the built-in font table or the download font table; pointer storage means for storing the instructions; and input means. Regarding the character information input from
With reference to the information in the pointer storage means, the built-in font table or the download font table is searched, and based on the search results, necessary font data is retrieved from the built-in font storage means or the downloaded font storage means. This printer is characterized by comprising a control means for calling the font data, and a printing means for printing the font data called by the control means.

[Operation] The present invention provides character information input from an input means,
Search the built-in font table or the download font table by referring to the information in the pointer storage means, and based on the search results, obtain necessary font data from the built-in font storage means or the download font storage means. Call and print.

[Examples] The present invention will be described below based on drawings showing examples thereof.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the printer of the present invention.

In the figure, l is a means for inputting information such as letters, numbers, and symbols (hereinafter referred to as character information) sent from the host computer 100 or the like into the printer body. Also,
7 is a built-in font storage means such as a ROM that stores each built-in font data (see (7a) in FIG. 2). The built-in fonts include various character fonts such as Gothic and 24x24 dot matrix. 8 is a download font storage means such as a RAM that stores each download font data (see (8a) in FIG. 2).

Furthermore, 5 (5) in FIG. 2 stores the storage address of each built-in font data of the built-in font storage means 7.
This is a built-in font table storage means as shown in a). Reference numeral 6 denotes a download font table as shown in FIG. It is a table storage means. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the unit areas of both tables 5 as 6 a correspond to each other. In other words, the initial state (
(at power-on, reset), addresses of the same character font data are stored in corresponding positions in both tables. For example, 2 of built-in font table 5a
The storage address (address 100) of the font "blue" in the built-in font data is stored in the second row and second column.

Further, in the second row and second column of the download font table 6a, the storage address (address 100) of the font "blue" in the built-in font data is stored. on the other hand,
When registering a download font, the storage address of the font "Blue 2" in the download font data is stored in the second row and second column of the download font table 6a.
1000) is stored.

Further, 2 sets the built-in font table 5a based on the data sent from the host computer lOO or by a key provided on the printer itself.
and the download font table 6a to be used.

3 is a second unit for storing the instruction contents of the use instruction means 2;
This is pointer storage means such as a RAM, as shown in (3a) in the figure.

4 refers to the information in the pointer storage means 3 regarding the character information inputted from the input means 1, searches the built-in font table 5a if it uses a built-in font, and retrieves the result. calls necessary font data from the built-in font storage means 7 based on
Further, in the case of using a downloaded font, the control means searches the downloaded font table 6a and calls the necessary font data from the downloaded font storage means 6. This control means 4 is realized using, for example, a microcomputer.

9 is a printing means for printing the font data called up by the control means 4;

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be explained. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing this operation.

FIG. 3(a) shows the initial setting step, in which a built-in font table 5a and a download font table 6a are created on the storage means (step Sl).
. At this point, both tables are exactly the same. Further, the content of the pointer storage means 3 is set to use the built-in font (step S2).

FIG. 3(b) shows the step of registering downloaded font data. That is, on the host computer 100, for example, the modified character ``Ao'' for ``Blue'' is displayed.
and store the font data in the download font storage means 8, and store the first address (address 1000) of the storage location in the built-in font table 5a.
The character "Blue" is stored in the corresponding position (2nd row, 2nd column) of the download font table 6a corresponding to (Step St).

Next, from the host computer 100 or from the printer itself, an instruction is given in advance or each time whether to use downloaded fonts or built-in fonts.

The third [1 fl (c) is when downloaded fonts are used, and the contents of the pointer storage means 3 are rewritten to be for downloaded fonts (step Sl).

Figure 3(d) shows the case where the built-in font is used,
The contents of the pointer storage means 3 are rewritten for the built-in font (step Sl).

FIG. 3(e) shows the case of printing, in which the address (second row, second column) of the character on the table is calculated from the input character information (step Sl), and the contents of the pointer storage means 3. If the built-in font is used, the first address (100 address) stored at that address (2nd row, 2nd column) on the built-in font table 5a is read. Then, the built-in font data for that character is called from that address in the built-in font storage means 7. If the content of the pointer storage means 3 is to use a downloaded font, the first address (address 1000) stored at that address (second row, second column) on the downloaded font table 6a is read. Then, the built-in font data for that character is called from that address in the built-in font storage means 7. Then, the called font data is transferred to the printing means (step S2). Print this font data.

(Effect of light) As is clear from the following explanation, in the present invention, since the location of the font address in the built-in font table and the downloaded font table is common, the contents of the pointer storage means 3 are rewritten. , you can access the location from the character information with simple operations, and read the font data.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the printer of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a table etc. for explaining the same embodiment, and FIG. 3 (a), (b), (c), (d), (
e) is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the same embodiment. 1... Input means 2... Usage instruction means 3...
Pointer storage means 4... Control means 5... Built-in font table storage means 6... Download font table storage means 7... Built-in font data, storage means 8... Download font storage means

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] Input means for inputting character information such as character codes, built-in font storage means for storing each built-in font data, download font storage means for storing each download font data, and the built-in font storage means A built-in font table storage means that stores storage addresses of each of the above built-in font data, and a download that stores storage addresses of each download font data on the download font storage means corresponding to the built-in font table storage means. font table storage means; use instruction means for instructing whether to use the built-in font table or the downloaded font table; pointer storage means for storing the instruction; and characters input from the input means. Regarding information, refer to the information in the pointer storage means, search the built-in font table or the download font table, and based on the result, search for information from the built-in font storage means or the download font storage means. A printer comprising: a control means for calling font data; and a printing means for printing the font data called by the control means.